Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) launched a new series to display online the exhibits on its 200 acre campus in Bhopal with the aim of digitally connecting everyone with them due to lock-down during the current COVID-19 epidemic. Under this series, on Thursday “Kavu”- a sacred grove from Kerala Exhibition of IGRMS has been presented online with its basic information and photographs and videos.
Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS, said that Sacred Grove is a group of trees of the same species or of several species, which is dedicated by the local communities to their deities and ancestors. Cutting trees or using other vegetation from these forests is completely prohibited.
Besides, the animals living in them are not harmed. IGRMS has been displaying and preserving bio-cultural features of folk and tribal communities since its inception. In the same sequence, the museum has established selected sacred groves from various areas of the country as a Sacred Grove Open air exhibition in its premises.
‘Kaavu’ are numerous throughout the length and breadth of Kerala. These sacred groves perform a unique role in bio-diversity management in Kerala. There are over 2000 well preserved sacred groves, managed by private individuals and Devaswami Trusts. Many myths, legends and faiths are associated with the sacred groves of Kerala.
‘Ayyappan Kaavu’, the sacred groves dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, used to be the most common ‘in Kerala in the past. The sacred groves in North Kerala are mostly associated with goddesses or ancestral spirits like Amma, Ayalakshi, Ayiravalli, Bhagavati, Durga, Mahishasur Mardini, Vana Durga, Vanadevatha, Marutha, Madan, Yakshi, Gandharvan, Yogeswaran, Muthappan etc, while in south Kerala, these are generally associated with snake worship like Nagam, Nagaraja, Nagini, Sarpam. The rituals and rites, performed in the sacred groves, vary with the region, caste and patron deity of the sacred grove.
A ritualistic recitation called ‘Sarpam Pattu’ is performed in Central and South Kerala, once every 10 or 12 years, to propitiate the snake gods. In the sacred groves, associated with goddesses in North Kerala, a ritual dance called ‘Theyyam’ or ‘Theyyattam’ is performed.